Ramrod handle

ABSTRACT

A handle for the ramrod of a muzzle loading firearm which has storage means for the ramrod on its barrel is releasably attached to the ramrod and movable between a first locked position wherein it is coaxial with the ramrod and a second locked position wherein it is perpendicular to the ramrod, the handle having a seating surface which allows it to be stored on the firearm barrel regardless of the cross sectional shape of the firearm barrel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an improved handle for ramrods of the type asused with firearms of the muzzle-loading type.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With muzzle-loading firearms, a ramrod is provided comprising acylindrical tool having a diameter substantially similar to the bore ofthe barrel of the firearm. In use, the ramrod is inserted into the openend or muzzle of the barrel of the firearm for several purposes such as:tamping powder and a bullet previously inserted into the barrel; or,with the addition of appropriate removal means, removing a bullet orother unwanted material lodged in the barrel; or, with the addition ofappropriate cleaning means, cleaning the bore of the barrel.

In view of the relatively small diameter of most ramrods, a handle forramrod manipulation is a virtual necessity for accomplishing either thetamping function, or the removal function, or the cleaning function.

A wide variety of ramrod handles is disclosed in the prior art. However,most are either permanently affixed to the ramrod or, if removabletherefrom, must be stored separately from the firearm, such as in apouch or the like.

In addition, many prior art handles can function only with a particularramrod or weapon and are not universally adaptable for use with a widevariety of ramrods or weapons.

Accordingly, a need exists for a ramrod handle, which is easilyremovable from and attachable to the ramrod, is readily storable uponthe weapon with which the ramrod is used, and is universally adaptablefor use with a wide variety of ramrods or weapons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the objects of the invention is the provision of a ramrod handlewhich is easily removable from and attachable to the ramrod, can bereadily stored upon the weapon with which the ramrod is used, and isuniversally adaptable for use with a wide variety of ramrods or weapons.

Another object is the provision of a handle, which may be releasablylocked to the ramrod and, in a storage mode, to the barrel of thefirearm.

A still further object is to provide a handle, which is so constructedthat when it and a ramrod are locked in a storage mode relative to thebarrel of a firearm, unwanted rattling of the ramrod against the barrelis precluded.

An additional object is to provide a handle which is so constructed thatwhen it and a ramrod are locked in a storage mode relative to the barrelof a firearm, the interior of the handle is protected from becomingfouled by muzzle debris, while accidental movement of the handle to anopen position, wherein it is disposed in front of the firearm muzzle, isalso precluded.

The storage mode of the handle of the invention and a ramrod relative toa firearm is achieved as follows:

-   -   a. the handle is positioned adjacent the end of the ramrod and        disposed in parallel relation thereto;    -   b. the handle is snapped onto the ramrod to bring the two        members into a coaxial relationship;    -   c. the ramrod is threadedly engaged with a connector means which        is sleeved by the handle and mounted for sliding rectilinear        movement relative to an interior bore within the handle;    -   d. the connector means and attached ramrod are slid        rectilinearly inwardly relative to the interior bore in the        handle to a locked position wherein pivotal swinging movement        between the handle and ramrod is blocked; and    -   e. the ramrod, and the attached handle, are slid rectilinearly        inwardly relative to a storage means provided on the firearm        barrel until an end of the ramrod bottoms relative to the        storage means, with the handle now being in contact with an        adjacent surface of the barrel of the firearm.

The use mode of the handle and ramrod relative to a firearm is achievedas follows:

-   -   a. the handle is grasped and, with the ramrod, is slid        rectilinearly outwardly relative to the firearm whereby the        ramrod is removed from the storage means and the handle is        removed from contact with the barrel of the firearm;    -   b. the connector member and attached ramrod are slid        rectilinearly outwardly relative to the handle to an unlocked        position wherein pivotal swinging movement between the handle        and ramrod may be effected; and    -   c. the handle is swung 90 degrees from its coaxial position        relative to the ramrod to a position wherein it is perpendicular        to the ramrod and ready for use by insertion of the ramrod into        the bore of the barrel of the firearm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a handle embodying a preferredform of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view thereof on an enlarged scale;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view on an enlarged scale of the connectormeans of the handle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the handle of the invention, aramrod and a rifle barrel;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the handle of the invention followingits attachment to a ramrod and its engagement with a rifle barrel in astorage mode; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the handle of the invention followingremoval of the ramrod from the storage mode of FIG. 8 to a use mode,with one end of the ramrod now being positioned in the bore of the riflebarrel, and the handle having been swung 90 degrees relative to theopposite end of the ramrod to a position wherein it is perpendicularthereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring first to FIGS. 7-9, a handle embodying a preferred form of theinvention is generally indicated by 10; a ramrod, shown fragmentarily,is generally indicated by 12; and a firearm, also shown fragmentarily,is generally indicated by 14.

Firearm 14 includes a barrel 16 having a bore 18 which terminates at anouter free end in a muzzle 20, the barrel having a storage sleeve 22formed integrally therewith.

Storage sleeve 22 is spaced rearwardly of muzzle 20, and is disposed inparallel relationship to bore 18 of barrel 16 for receiving and storingramrod 12 therein, in a manner as shown in FIG. 8.

Ramrod 12, which is of cylindrical cross section and has a diametersubstantially similar to that of bore 18 of firearm 14, is fabricatedfrom thermoplastic, or metal, or wood, or composite material.

Handle 10 is fabricated from thermoplastic, or metal, or wood, orcomposite material, is substantially cylindrical in cross-section, andis of appropriate size as to be grasped readily by hand, as shown inFIG. 9.

As best seen in FIG. 4, handle 10 has an open end 23 and a closed end 25and is provided on its central longitudinal axis with an interior bore26 of circular cross section which has an open outer end 28 and a closedinner end 30.

A primary slot 32 is provided in a lower face 34 of handle 10 and is ofappropriate width as to receive ramrod 12 therein in the manner of apress or snap fit.

Primary slot 32 communicates with interior bore 26 and extendslongitudinally from handle open end 23 for approximately one half thelength of the handle and terminates in a closed inner end 36.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of spaced, parallel, secondaryslots 38 and 38′ is provided in handle 10, with slot 38 being disposedin a side wall 40 of the handle and slot 38′ being disposed in a sidewall 40′ of the handle.

Each slot 38 and 38′is positioned adjacent closed end 25 of handle 10and communicates with bore 26.

Secondary slots 38 and 38′ each extend along the approximate centrallongitudinal axis of the handle for approximately one-half the length ofthe handle with each slot having opposite, closed inner and outer ends42 and 44, respectively.

As best seen in FIGS. 1-6, a connector means, generally indicated by 24,is mounted for rectilinear sliding movement in interior bore 26 ofhandle 10 and includes a semi-circular head 46 having a pin 48 extendingtransversely therethrough and outwardly from each side thereof on itsapproximate central transverse axis and a flat base 50 having a threadedstem 52 formed integrally therewith which extends outwardly therefrom onthe central longitudinal axis of the connector means.

Pin 48 of connector means 24 is of appropriate size and configuration asto be receivable for sliding rectilinear movement in and relative toslots 38 and 38′ in side walls 40 and 40′ respectively of handle 10,with pin 48 serving the dual functions of capturing the connector withinhandle 10 while limiting sliding movement of the connector relative tothe handle.

Ramrod 12 is provided on one of its ends with a threaded bore 54 ofappropriate size to accept therein threaded stem 52 of connector means24.

Stem 52 is of such size and thread design as to be receivable in thethreaded bore provided in the ends of virtually all standard ramrods,whereby handle 10 is appropriate for use with a wide range of ramrods.

Handle 10 and ramrod 12 are joined by snapping the ramrod throughprimary slot 34 of the handle into interior bore 26 so that the handleand the ramrod are co-axially aligned, whereby stem 52 of connectormeans 24 may be threadedly engaged in bore 54 of the ramrod

Connector means 24 and ramrod 12 can now be slid axially relative tointerior bore 26 of the handle, with pin 48 of the connector meanssliding relative to secondary slots 38 and 38′ until head 46 of theconnector means contacts closed inner end 30 of interior bore 26 and pin48 contacts closed outer ends 44 of secondary slots 38 and 38′.

Closed inner end 30 of interior bore 26 and closed outer ends 44 ofsecondary slots 38 and 38′ together form stop means which limit theextent of axial movement of connector means 24 and ramrod 12 relative tohandle 10, with the handle and ramrod now being locked in co-axialalignment, while lower wall 34 of the handle blocks any swingingclockwise pivotal movement of the connector means and the ramrodrelative to interior bore 26 of the handle.

Thus, when handle 10 and ramrod 12 are in a storage mode on firearmbarrel 16, accidental swinging movement of the handle to an openposition in front of firearm muzzle 20 is precluded.

Following removal of handle 10 and ramrod 12 from a storage mode onfirearm barrel 16, the co-axial alignment of handle 10 relative toramrod 12 can be changed simply by sliding the ramrod and connectormeans 24 axially relative to interior bore 26 of the handle until pin 48of the connector means contacts closed inner ends 42 of secondary slots38 and 38′ of the handle, with the connector means now being in theposition as shown in FIG. 4, wherein it is clear of lower wall 34 of thehandle and positioned immediately adjacent and clear of first slot 32

Connector means 24 and ramrod 12 now may be swung downwardly in aclockwise direction, with the ramrod snapping into and through firstslot 32 and pin 48 pivoting relative to slots 38 and 38′ of handle 10.The ramrod is now in a position wherein it is perpendicular to thehandle, with one of its side faces contacting closed end 36 of firstslot 32, thereby effectively precluding further clockwise swingingmotion of the connector means and the ramrod

Thus, closed inner end 36 of first slot 32 serves as a stop, whichlimits the range of clockwise swinging movement of the ramrod past 90degrees.

To return the ramrod to a coaxial position relative to the handle, theoperation is reversed, with the ramrod first being swung in acounterclockwise direction relative to the handle.

An upper face 56 of handle 10 is provided with an arcuate depression 58which extends longitudinally for the length of the handle, with thedepression permitting the engagement or marriage of the handle with gunbarrel 16 of firearm 14, as will appear.

Depression 58 is provided with a pair of spaced, parallel, upstanding,inwardly inclined ribs 60 and 62, each of which extends longitudinallyfor the length of the depression in closely spaced parallelism to anadjacent side edge of the depression.

Ribs 60 and 62 permit the handle to seat relative to firearm barrel 16,regardless of the cross-sectional shape of the barrel, be it round,hexagonal, oval or other shape, when handle 10 and ramrod 12 are placedin a storage mode on the firearm barrel.

For example, were ribs 60 and 56 not present, arcuate depression 58 ofhandle 10 would not seat properly relative to a firearm barrel ofhexagonal cross-section.

In addition, when handle 10 and ramrod 12 are placed in a storage modeon firearm barrel 16, ribs 60 and 62 preclude unwanted rattling of theramrod relative to the barrel.

When the handle is in a storage mode as seen in FIG. 8, its closed end25 is facing the muzzle end of the barrel, thereby effectivelyprotecting interior bore 26 and connector means 24 from being fouled bydebris which may be emitted from muzzle 20 when the firearm is fired.

Further, when handle 10 and ramrod 12 are in a storage mode on thefirearm barrel, accidental swinging movement of the handle to a positionin front of the muzzle, is precluded.

Based on the foregoing, it will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art that the handle of the invention is easily removable from andattachable to a ramrod, is readily stowable upon the weapon with whichthe ramrod is used, and is universally adaptable for use with a varietyof ramrods and weapons.

1. In combination with a ramrod for a firearm having a barrel of themuzzle-loading type with means on the barrel for storing the ramrod, theimprovement which comprises, a handle for the ramrod, and connectormeans on the handle for releasably interconnecting the handle andramrod, said connector means being axially slideable and pivotallyswingable relative to the handle.
 2. In the combination according toclaim 1, including means on the handle for seating the handle relativeto the barrel of the firearm when the handle is attached to the ramrodand the ramrod is stored on the barrel of the firearm.
 3. In combinationwith a ramrod for a firearm having a barrel of the muzzle-loading typewith means on the barrel for storing the ramrod, the improvement whichcomprises, a handle for the ramrod, first means on the handle forreleasably interconnecting the handle and ramrod, said first means beingaxially slideable and pivotally swingable relative to the handle betweena position wherein the handle and ramrod are in coaxial alignment and aposition wherein the handle and ramrod are each perpendicular to theother, and second means on the handle for seating the handle relative tothe barrel of the firearm when the handle is attached to the ramrod in aposition of coaxial alignment and the ramrod is stored on the barrel ofthe firearm.
 4. In a handle for the ramrod of a firearm having a barrelof the muzzle-loading type with means on the barrel for storing theramrod, the improvement which comprises, an interior bore in the handle,a connector member in said interior bore, means for releasably attachingthe connector member to the ramrod, the connector member being axiallyslideable and pivotable relative to said interior bore, and stop meanson the handle for limiting the range of sliding and pivotable movementof the connector member.
 5. In the combination according to claim 4,including means on an exterior surface of the handle for seating thehandle relative to the barrel of the firearm when the handle is attachedto the ramrod in a position of coaxial alignment and the ramrod isstored on the barrel of the firearm.
 6. In the combination according toclaim 1, wherein said connector means is disposed in an interior bore inthe handle.
 7. In the combination according to claim 3, wherein saidsecond means comprises a depression in an exterior surface of the handleand ribs in the depression for seating the handle relative to the barrelof the firearm.
 8. In the combination according to claim 3, wherein saidsecond means comprises, a longitudinally-extending depression in anexterior surface of the handle and a pair of spaced, parallel,longitudinally-extending, inclined ribs in said depression for seatingthe handle relative to the barrel of the firearm.
 9. In the combinationaccording to claim 1, including stop means on the handle for limitingthe range of axially slideable and pivotally swingable movement of saidconnector means relative to the handle.
 10. In a handle according toclaim 4, wherein said stop means comprise, a closed end on said interiorbore, a pair of slots in the handle communicating with said interiorbore and having closed ends, a pin on the connector member extendinginto and axially slideable relative to said slots, and a slot in thehandle having a closed end and an open end and communicating with saidinterior bore, with the ramrod extending into said slot.
 11. In a handleaccording to claim 4, wherein said means for releasably attaching theconnector member to the ramrod is a threaded stem on the connectormember receivable in a threaded bore in the ramrod.